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EDA UPDATES AND INFORMATION
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EDA is now accepting applications for the $200 million Recompete Pilot Program, designed to invest in communities that are most in need of economic resources and options to ensure that all communities have a path to economic prosperity.
This program, authorized through the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, targets areas where prime-age (25-54 years) employment significantly trails the national average, with the goal to close this gap through bottom-up, long-term strategies that tackle a community’s unique economic challenges.
Click here for more information on the program. To support prospective applicants in determining geographic eligibility, EDA has partnered with Argonne National Laboratory to release the Recompete Eligibility Mapping Tool. Applications are due by October 5, 2023.
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In June, the Building Resilient Economies in Coal Communities (BRECC) Coalition, part of the Coal Community of Practice supported by EDA, traveled to Bristol, Virginia, to learn more about the region and how they’re moving forward from a coal-based economy to a more resilient future.
Hosted by Invest SWVA, a public-private partnership that seeks to market local assets and attract new businesses and talent to the region, the leaders who participated in the visit took away two key lessons:
- It takes an entire region to affect growth, and
- Effective diversification requires diverse strategies
Wise County is a major coal-producing area, and the BRECC Coalition participants visited a variety of projects and learned about diverse opportunities for commercialization and deployment of new energy technologies. Read more here.
The BRECC National Network is an open forum and peer network, connecting coal community leaders representing local governments, regional organizations, community non-profits, education and workforce providers, utilities, private businesses, and other stakeholders across the country. Join the BRECC National Network today!
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ENERGY COMMUNITIES IWG UPDATES
In June and July, the Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization (Energy Communities IWG) hosted a two-part webinar series, “Overcoming Common Infrastructure Challenges in Energy Communities.” Senior administration officials joined the conversation, covering a number of challenges that energy communities may face in their efforts to diversify their economies, as well as highlighting some programs from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that are relevant to energy workers and their communities. EDA’s Doug Lynott provided an update on EDA’s infrastructure resources, as well.
Watch the recordings, download presentation slides, and find other relevant materials at the links below:
Click here for upcoming webinar opportunities.
On July 12, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) hosted an Illinois Coal Basin Rapid Response Team Regional Convening in Jasper, Indiana, to work with stakeholders from across southern Indiana that have been negatively affected by the decline in the coal economy, and to provide resources from various state and federal agencies on recovery strategies and opportunities.
If you are interested in learning more about these resources, reach out to your Economic Development Representative (EDR) here.
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JUST TRANSITION FUND RESOURCES
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On June 27, the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and the Swaniti Initiative kicked off the India-U.S. Just Energy Transition Dialogue Series. Per the announcement, this series of webinars will explore how resource-dependent regions can achieve a just transition.
You can view the recording of the first of the three sessions here.
For updates on future webinars in this series and beyond, sign up for the JTF Newsletter and follow the JTF on social media: Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY RESOURCES
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The U.S. Department of Treasury recently announced final guidance and a new eligibility map for its Qualifying Advanced Energy Project Tax Credit program (48C). The program will allocate $10 billion in credits, $4 billion of which may only be allocated to projects located in certain energy communities census tracts.
Read more about the program and check out the eligibility map here.
Want more guidance or information on how to apply? Click here!
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ADDITIONAL FEDERAL RESOURCES
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U.S. Department of Energy Launches Program to Expand State and Local Capacity for Renewable Energy Planning, Siting, and Permitting - The Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program will support the creation of new, or the expansion of existing, state-based programs or initiatives that improve renewable energy planning and siting processes for local communities.
U.S. Department of Agriculture PACE Program Applications Available on July 10 - The Powering Affordable Clean Energy (PACE) Program helps make clean, affordable and reliable energy accessible to the people of rural America.
U.S. Department of Commerce Announces State Allocations for Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program - Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the BEAD program supports the deployment of affordable, reliable high-speed internet service to everyone in America.
U.S. Department of Transportation Releases Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program - This new pilot program created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law offers technical assistance grants to rural and tribal communities to advance infrastructure projects.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Launches Applications for Two Greenhouse Gas Reduction Funds Grants - The $14 billion National Clean Investment Fund and $6 billion Clean Communities Investment Accelerator will mobilize private capital into clean technology projects to create good-paying jobs and lower energy costs.
U.S. Department of Energy Announces $32 Million to Strengthen Critical Minerals Supply Chain - The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding provided will help build facilities that produce rare earth elements and other critical minerals and materials from domestic coal-based resources.
U.S. Department of the Interior Invests $660 Million to Plug Orphaned Oil and Gas Wells - This funding will create good-paying jobs, catalyze economic growth and revitalization, reduce harmful methane leaks, and reduce environmental and public health risks.
U.S. Department of Transportation Accepting Applications for Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Program - The streamlined program combines two different programs and will make it easier to submit an application and increase opportunity for communities that are seeking funding.
Be sure to bookmark the Energy IWG’s Funding Opportunities page to stay up-to-date with even more resources – click here!
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RECENT COAL & ENERGY COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS
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LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FROM EDA?
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- Subscribe to this and other EDA newsletters and updates – click here to register.
- Connect with a local Economic Development Representative (EDR) – click here to find your EDR.
- Find an Economic Development District (EDD) for planning support and technical assistance – click here for the EDD Directory.
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